Russell Hedges
rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Bossier Bearkats and Louisiana New Tech at Plain Dealing Lions will host first-round games in the state basketball playoffs.
The Bearkats (23-7) received the No. 2 overall seed in Class 3A and play No. 31 De La Salle (20-8, 6-2) of New Orleans. The day and time of the game had not been set at press time.
The Lions (18-8), seeded 12th in Class 1A, face No. 21 East Iberville (13-6) of St. Gabriel Friday night at 7.
District 1-3A champion Bossier, led by senior guard Devonte Hall, has won 13 games in a row and 16 of its last 18. The district title was the sixth straight for the Bearkats, who will go into next season with a 60-game district winning streak.
Bossier has reached at least the semifinals five straight years. After making it to a championship game four straight years, the Bearkats lost to Carroll 53-51 in triple overtime in the semifinals last season.
Carroll went on to win the state title. The Bulldogs didn’t not make the playoffs this season.
Hall is the only returning starter from Bossier’s semifinal team. Kentrell Hardy, Darius Leary and Malik Dunn are among those who have taken up the slack.
The Bearkats will be facing a De La Salle team that finished second in District 11-3A behind John Curtis, which is Class 3A’s top seed. The Cavaliers’ only losses in district play were to Curtis.
New Tech finished third in District 1-1A behind Arcadia and Grambling. The Lions knocked off Arcadia 55-46 in their regular-season finale last Tuesday behind Chiner Long’s 31 points.
Arcadia is the top seed in Class 1A.
Long, Ja’Carlius Stromile and freshman Keldrick Carper have been among the leaders for New Tech this season.
East Iberville finished in a three-way tie for second in District 8-1A.
